4-H leaders plan gathering to say goodbye to Schumacher

Published 8:00 pm, Tuesday, September 30, 2008

BAD AXE— As Linda Schumacher’s 4-H program associate job ends this week, a number of kids and adults in the community plan to say goodbye to their long-time friend and mentor.

Local 4-H leaders and members will host a gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Expo Building at the fairgrounds.

Karen Holz, an organizer of the event, said the community is welcome to come out for a proper send-off for Schumacher.

“There were so many people who wanted to say goodbye — and she has touched so many lives — we had to do something,” said Holz.

Schumacher spent more than 15 years as a 4-H secretary/receptionist, and nearly five years as a program associate.

Her job will end this week as Huron County Michigan State University Extension Director Frank Gublo has decided to take the 4-H program in the county into another direction, reaching out to troubled youth.

Gublo said the new 4-H extension educator, who will assume Schumacher’s responsibilities and other duties, will require additional criteria, including a masters degree.